Improvement in side-bar spring-vehicles



J. F. BRIDGET.

SIDE-BAR srmm VEHICLE-S.

No.189,183. Patented Apri13, 1877.

N.PETERS. PHOTO-LITHOGRAFHER. NASMING'I'ONv D. C

NITED STATES PATENT TOFFron JOHN F. BRIDGET, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OFCOLUMBIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN SIDE-BAR SPldlNG-VEHICLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 189,183, dated April 3,1877 application filed March 21, 1877.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN F. BRIDGET, of Washington city, in the Districtof Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSide-Bar Spring-Vehicles, of which the following is a specification Thisinvention relates to certain improvements in that class of side-barbuggies in which the springs are attached directly to the side bars, itsobject being to provide for regulating the tension of the springs, andthus regulate their elasticity to suit different weights.

My invention consists in the combination, with the side bars and theirsprings, of a central fastening-bolt and adjustable clips at each sideof the same, the position of which may be varied, as required, inorderto adjust the tension of the springs, as more fully hereinafter setforth.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a portion ofbuggy illustrating my invention Fig. 2, an end view of the same; andFig. 3, detached views of the spring securing the same, in perspectiveand transverse vertical section. V

The letter A represents the side bars of the buggy, located at each sideof the frame, or truck B of the same, and secured at or near the ends tothe ends of the transverse springs O, which are secured midway betweentheir ends to the front and rear of said truck or frame. Directly belowthe side bars A are secured the metallic springs E, being attached tosaid side bars at or about midway between their ends by means of boltsF. Said springs are, preferably, constructed of sheet or other elasticmetal, and may consist each of a flat bar properly bowed, or'of a seriesof leaves properly secured together, if extra strength and elasticityare required. The ends of the springs E are. provided with loops or eyes6, for the reception of the ends of the transverse cross-bars G G, whichare securely attached to the bottom of the buggy, and are extendeddownwardly at each side and bent outwardly at their extremities, so asto' rest within the loops or eyes of the springs E, and thus support thebuggy-body between the side bars,

and in a position to ride easily and gracefully upon said springs.

At each side'of the bolts by means of which the springs are secured tothe side bars, and embracing both, are secured the movable yokes orstraps H, which are adjustably held around the springs and side bars bymeans of cross-bars h, extending under the springs, and the screw-boltsh secured to the free ends of said yokes or straps, which arescrew-threaded for the purpose. The object of said straps or yokes is tovary the tension of the springs, so as to adjust the elasticity of thesame to suit loads of different weights, and thus provide for the easyriding of the buggy, whatever may be the Weight or number of theoccupants. This is accomplished by moving the yokes to or from thecentral point of attachment of the side bars and springs, as occasionmay require. The said yokes or straps not only serve to vary the tensionand elasticity of the springs, but they also serve to increase thestrength and compactness of the springs and side bars as thus securedtogether, without correspondingly increasing the Weight of such parts,thus enabling me to dispense with I the strengthening plates or braceswhich have heretofore been found necessary in this class of buggies,and. which tend materially to encumber the parts and render the sameheavy and unwieldy.

The side bars are secured, at or near each end, to transverse springs G,secured midway between their ends to the front and rear of the truck orframe B of the buggy by means of straps or yokes, or in any otherconvenient manner.

Havingdescribed my invention,what1claim, and desire to secure by LettersPatent, is

The combination, in a side-bar buggy, of the side bars and their springswith the transverse cross connecting-bars, the central fastening-bolt,and the adjustable clips, all constructed and arranged to operatesubstantially as described.

In testimony that claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand in thepresence of the subscribing witnesses.

JOHN F. BRIDGET. Witnesses:

JAMES L. NORRIS, A. H. Nonnrs.

